Bridging the Wild: I-17 Willard Springs Wildlife Overpass Project

Community News | By Tim Bell

Photo provided by ADOT

A major project aimed at protecting both drivers and wildlife is coming soon to the high country north of Sedona. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), working in partnership with Arizona Game and Fish, has announced plans to construct the Willard Springs Wildlife Overpass along Interstate 17 near milepost 327 between Kelly Canyon and Munds Park. The $21-million project will create a safe crossing for animals and help reconnect important habitat that has long been divided by the busy interstate.

Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2025 with completion expected by fall 2026. The work will include building a new bridge designed specifically for wildlife, along with fencing that guides animals toward the crossing rather than onto the highway. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recognized the project’s value by awarding ADOT and Game and Fish a $24-million grant through its national Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, part of the first round of $110 million distributed to only 19 projects across the country.

Beyond the overpass itself, crews will retrofit existing right-of-way fencing to make it wildlife-friendly, install new fencing and gates, add escape ramps, replace guardrails, and seed disturbed areas with a native seed mix once construction is finished. Temporary detours will keep traffic moving while the bridge is built, and at least one lane in each direction will remain open. Drivers should expect daytime lane restrictions and possible delays throughout the project.

Wildlife crossings like this one have proven effective across the West, sharply reducing vehicle collisions with elk, deer, and other large animals while allowing natural migration to continue. For many conservationists, the Willard Springs project represents a turning point in how Arizona approaches highway design — one that values safety and ecological balance in equal measure.

ADOT encourages drivers to stay updated on restrictions by visiting az511.gov, subscribing to project alerts, and always slowing down in construction zones. Once complete, the Willard Springs overpass will stand as both a safety improvement and a symbol of coexistence between Arizona’s travelers and its native wildlife.

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